In response
to Baroness Kinnock’s letter (attached) to the UK Association of Gypsy Women,
the Kosovo Emergency Medical Group told UKAGW that they are pleased that the UK
Embassy in Pristina has been working hard to try and get matters moving, and the
recent Fluvio lead testing programme at the camps and Roma Mahalla is a
testament both to their efforts, and that of the scientists involved.
Two days ago, KMEG had a long conversation with the political attaché at
the British Embassy in Pristina. During the conversation, it was confirmed that
the construction of the first 50 dwellings would start next week and that
hopefully, further constructions would begin in May. Although, Skender Syla, of
the Head of World Health Authority (WHO) in Pristina, had said in front of
several witnesses that facilities existed for the treatment of lead poisoning in
Kosovo and that staff were trained.
KMEG said there are huge doubts
about the truth of this for the following reasons.
Firstly, none of
those who moved to Roma Mahalla in previous years with lead poisoning have ever
received treatment. If staff is trained and facilities are in place, then why
are they not already very busy at Roma Mahalla?
Secondly, consider the
example of Ergin Salihi. Ergin is the only child in the camps to have been sent
for treatment to a hospital in Pristina. He had been promised by Alush Gashi,
the Kosovo Minister of Health in an email to a team member of KMEG that he would
ensure that if it was impossible to provide treatment for Ergin in Pristina,
then he would do all in his power to help him to receive treatment abroad.
Because of this statement, KMEG ensured that young Ergin was taken as requested
to Pristina hospital. Dr Skender Syla, the local WHO head was personally
informed.
While Ergin was at the hospital, the doctors showed that they
were clearly completely ignorant of the effects of lead poisoning on the brain
and other organs of young children. The extent of Ergin's poisoning produces
many of the physical and mental symptoms of acute poisoning, including
aggression and irrational behavior, to say nothing of the effect on his damaged
kidneys. He is like all children born in these camps, suffering from brain
damage. Let us also not forget that Ergin is a young boy of only nine years old.
He is very vulnerable and would require very careful attention by trained
pediatricians, caring nurses and an expert and sensitive examination, by those
who can speak his language.
On arriving at Pristina hospital, the
doctors were at a total loss to know how to treat him. In fact, Ergin was so
afraid that he made several attempts to escape, culminating when he actually
tried to jump from a balcony of the hospital. He was quite simply, petrified.
The doctors repeatedly asked for him to be removed from the hospital and taken
home. Finally they persuaded his mother, an illiterate woman, to place her mark
on his discharge papers.
The only treatment Ergin ever received as a
result of his visit to Pristina hospital was that Kosovo Agency Advocacy
Development (KAAD), the Kosovo government's NGO placed as administrators of the
camps, started to pay for a daily special diet of fruit and vegetables for Ergin
once he was back in Osterode. Last September, this was withdrawn on the grounds
that they could no longer afford the 7€ per day. Since then, it is only due to
the personal financial intervention of our own activists that his diet is
continuing to this day. So much for assurances that the medical facilities in
Kosovo can provide treatment for 600 lead poisoned children and adults from the
camps.
KMEG and
indeed UKAGW would like to challenge those who give such assurances and ask
them. "If you can treat those who vacate the camps and move to Roma Mahalla,
then why have you not done so for those who have already moved? If you think you
can treat 200+ children under ten, then why can you not provide even fruit and
vegetables for one child?
Attached are some pictures of Ergin: the first
was when he was seen in the Belgrade Institute for Mother and Child in
Belgrade by team
members of KMEG last summer. The second was taken shortly after his return to
the toxic camp at Osterode together with his brother who is also affected. The
latest, taken only two weeks ago, shows Ergin's now marked skin discoloration
and seriously bloated appearance. This is just one child who is suffering
neglect as we write. There are over 200 in these appalling
camps.
Please help UKAGW and KMEG to get Ergin’s diet restored which he also shares with his younger brother, by writing to your government and Baroness Kinnock protesting against KAAD’s withdrawal of Ergin’s life saving diet.
To email your protest to Baroness Kinnock: Lucy....@fco.gov.uk
Rachel Francis